New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-12
SCENES OF THE NIGHTAND MORNING.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.


PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
HOW THE CONDEMNED MEN PASSED THEIR LAST
NIGHr-THEIR WONDERFUL NERVE
CHICAGO, Nov. 11.-As soon as the decision Of tho
Governor was made known last evening TO ths
officials at the Jail hasty preparations were begun
for the closing to-day. The prisoners re'
ccved the announcement of their fate with stoid
calmness. Steps were at once taken ia
see that the prisoners should be deprived
of all means of sclf-destruction, and to
that eud they removed to other cells.
stripped and supplied with other clothing, and q
special guard was placed over them.
The work of constructing the scatod in tie east
end of the north corridor wac begun This was
soon completed. Only the carpenters who were
engaged to put the machine together wero
present. Ex-Sherf Hanchett came in just as
the carpenters getting out the beams
preparatory to putting up the scaffold. Under
a long woollen Overcoat he carried long rope,
ample enough TO furnish noOses for all those who
to be hanged. Bags of sand, weighing at
rough estimate ls0 pounds apiece, were fastened
to each of tho four ropes. Then the trap was
sprung They worked satisfactorily the first time
bnt the sheriff not satisfied and second tria
was made, which left no doubt OF their strength.
In the evening the condemned men spent the tms
in conversing with their keepers. They were slow
TO think of sleep in their excited condition Of
mind Spies smoked ar talked and paced his cell
nervously and III his characteristic fashion One
of TIE guards, speaking of the conduct of Spies IN
the night, said the prisoner had slept well after2
o'clock but before that time he was
awake though lie pretended TO be asleep
Any little noise disturbed him. but the guards were
warm in praise of his nerve. When Spies lay down
he was smoking cigar. He had his boots on and
did not undress. Turning to the guards. While
slowly putting at his cigar. lie said "Boys. I'll be
Just as steady tomorrow when this little matter
comes of as I'M now"
PARsoN SINGS ANNIE LAURIE
About midnight, when the stiffness was
deepest there the sudden sound
of A voice raised ID song Ii came from Parsons
cell and he singing Annie Laurie 1t was a
sad almost wailng notein fact the note of his
last song For few minutes only this lasted and
died away plaintvely in the midst of the second
stanza Then he went to sleep and slept soundly
until dawn.
So also did Engle and Fischer whose last light
was unmarked by any incident beyond that
of an ordinary prisoner. The death watches
over them as with the others. were changed from
time to time, but the cuprits remained undis-
turbed
Early in the morning the police began to arrive.
| he detachment consisted of 26O men, all armed
with rifles. and they were disposed in aud about
the jail Files of men we're claced at the different
angles of the building, and presently
cleaning muskets were on the roof; and soon
the men carrying them were condensed
into files and then divided, until at least fifty sem
tjnels were pacing backward and forward, high IN
the ar Ii was martial picture for a time OF pro-
found peace but it was the surface reflection OF
solemn and stern foundation.
As the morning fairly dawned fresh relays of re-
portcrs arrived and were quickly hurried into the
iaii. Bv 7 o'clock the sun was gliding perfectly
clear sky and the frosty air plnched sharply
the ears of passing pedestrians. Ar that hour
the Anarchists had all arisen. Engel awokc appar-
emily out of a troubled dream He began at onco
70 talk with his guard upon his favorte theme OF
Anarchy but subsidized when he had put MS
feet upon the floor. His face looked paer ana more
haccard than usual but he appeared cheerful.
breakfast was served to all shortly aiterward,
AMI soon after Spies, turning from MS
emptv Dishes called for writing material and
applied himself closely TO the task OK
meanwhile sitting with legs crossed
and smoking cigar All the prisoners ate heartily.
especially Parsons, whose appetite was almost
rayenous A little incident occurred when Far
sons stepped out tdwash himself, which was de-
scribed by Lieutenant Laughin.
liz WANTED TO WASH IN AB,sIN
All the other Anarchists contented themselves
with washing at the tap; but when Parsons walked
ND to the sink he exclaimed: Il see no wash basin
here. am accustomed to washing in basin, and
want now.'
Ills manner was extremely defiant, but though
he reiterated his request for the basin III rough
tones he did not get the desired utensil.
The Rev. DR.. Bolton entered about o'clock and
visited, one after another the cells Of the con-
iemncd men. Spies did not afford HIM more than
glance as he looked up from the sheet
,u which he was scribbling his last words. Par
sons greeted him pleasantly; so also did F1schert
but bey ond few words of comfort to each, hlS
mission was unavailiag His visit to the cell OK
tugol was marked by silent and thoughtfui atten-
ton the part of the prisoner to mat lie hau 70
offer, and at last the good man iett ,tnem 10 thcI
fate and INDUCED In an inspection or the ganows.
The Sheriff arrived about 1880 O'CLOCK ana ulauo
a brief inspection of the Jail and Its surroundings
Soon after the soh OF Governor Oglesoy arrlVous
with the official papers connected win Ine eAcc9.
ton and from that moment forth Sherin Ml.sJ9as 9n
course was clear sailing. County fn{siU.a,3
I;ray arrived soon after the Sherin, ana Pn.u
vis,ys To tho condemned men. ADout ninS
o;cInck some letters were received Tor tDe auaIon
sts and delivered to aud read by them III shonco'
MRS. PARSONS AND HER CHILDREN ARRfslED.
Al about the same hour it was announced 10 III"
,ec,als that Mrs Parsons with her children snd ~
,,,snd we're outside and demanded sdmitsanos